My role is to identify plants and fungi with potential uses as medicines and cosmetics. I test collections of plant extracts on human cell lines, measuring changes in cell signalling pathways and gene expression. I then isolate bioactive chemical compounds from the most promising species. A second area of interest is chemical genetic profiling to investigate the mode of action of antifungal natural products.

I am currently working with a barcoded, pooled collection of 10 million yeast mutants which will enable the protein targets of antifungal compounds to be identified. I also undertake ethnobotanical fieldwork in Papua New Guinea, working with small rainforest communities to identify plants with potential in treating common superficial infections such as the tropical ulcer. The aim is to identify low tech antiseptic first line treatments for remote communities that cannot access primary health care.